Steering Play When Steering to the Left
 

Hi All,
I had installed a F100 steering box from Randy Gross a few months back into my Father's 1931 Pickup. When I am driving there is quite a bit of play when turning the steering wheel to the left mainly noticable when there are left hand curves in the road. I do not think the issue is with the steering box. When parked and front wheels are lifted off the ground the steering reacts as expected from one side to another. When parked and front wheels are on the ground then the play while turning to the left is noticable. The frontend has new king pins, bushings, and bearings. I have checked and tightend the tie rod ends and drag link ends which both have all new components. The pitman bolt is tight. Is this a ball out of round/worn issue on one of the spindles or pitman arm? I do not recall any major wearing or egg shaped balls when putting the frontend together. But it is possible I missed it. I am not sure what else to check. I did not drive the truck with the original steering box so I am not sure if the same issue were occuring before all the new parts were installed.

Thanks,
Denny

Re: Steering Play When Steering to the Left
 

With the front wheels on the ground have someone move the steering wheel back and forth while you look at all of the steering components. Start at the box. If the pitman arm is not moving as much as it should the problem is in the box. If the pitman arm is moving but the drag link is not then it is in the drag link. Continue looking at all parts until you get to the wheels. You should be able to see where the slop is located.


Bob

Re: Steering Play When Steering to the Left
 

Check to see if the front spring can move back and forth. Check to see if the ball on the end of the wishbone is tight.

Re: Steering Play When Steering to the Left
 

The steering arm on either side may be loose in the front spindle. Toe in adjustment could be significantly "out of spec" due to bent tie rod or drag link.

Re: Steering Play When Steering to the Left
 

Is the steering box centered when the wheels are straight ahead steering boxes are designed to be very tight when centered but as you turn left or right they do have more play designed in them your steering box might be off center. When I say tight I mean no play felt.

Re: Steering Play When Steering to the Left
 

After checking the things listed above if nothing looks bad maybe a call to Randy ? A pretty stand up guy who Im sure stands behind his products and work. He may also have some other ideas on things to check that may affect a good working steering box that make it seem bad or operate funny

Re: Steering Play When Steering to the Left
 

As was previously mentioned in post #5, the Gemmer design steering gear set ups are adjusted to minimal slack in the centered position only. A way to check it is to jack the vehicle to get the tires off the ground surface. Rotate the wheel to centered position then see that the front wheels are centered as well. This is the only position where all the slack is removed so it is important that steering wheel centered position coincides with the front wheel centered position. If it isn't then it will have slack in it when front wheels are centered.

While the car is still on stands, rotate the wheel to the left lock and then to the right lock and see how much slack the front wheels have in each position by moving them by hand. The amount of slack should be about the same in both positions. In either position, the lock will prevent the one side from turning but the opposite side will move independently. This all has to be in tune during turns since one wheel has to be able to turn more than the other in order to coordinate the turn.

Re: Steering Play When Steering to the Left
 

The F100 steering box, which he has, is also set up to be tight when driving straight but has some slack when in a tight turn. My F100 box has no slack when pointed straight ahead but has 2 inches slack at the rim of the steering when when at full left lock.

If it has play when pointed straight ahead but not when the steering wheel is slightly not straight ahead to left or right, then, as others have said, the drag link may not be the right length so that the box is not in the center when driving straight ahead.